Keyboard for type-writing and other machines on which a keyboard is used.



No. 865,459. PATENTED SEPT. 10, 1907.

J. B. VIDAL. KEYBOARD FOR TYPE WRITING AND OTHER MACHINE S 0N WHICH A KEYBOARD IS USED. APPLICATION FILED JAN.24,19Q7.

PATENTBD SEPT. 10, 1907.

J. B. VIDAL. KEYBOARD FOR TYPE WRITING AND OTHER MACHINES ON WHICH A KEYBOARD IS USED.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN.24,1907.

SHEET8SHEET 2.

witmcoom No. 865,459. PATENTEUsI-Pm 10 J. B. VIDAL.

KEYBOARD FOR TYPE WRITING AND OTHER MACHINES ON WHICH A KEYBOARD IS USED.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 24, 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

public of Cuba, residing at Concordia street, (i535) in the 'city of llabana and Island oi- Cuba, has inby a transverse bar or rod JU'AN BAUTISTA VIDAL, OF HABANA, CUBA.

KEYBOARD FOR TYPE-WRITING AND OTHER MACHINES 0N WHICH A knvnonnn IS USED.

Application filed January 24,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that JUAN BAUTIS'FA Vicar, of the Rcvented certain new and useful improvements in Keyboards for "lypellritii1g and other Machines on which a Keyboard is Used, and he does hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it apperlains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to typewriters and more particularly to the keys thereof, and has for its objects to provide an arrangement oi keys which will enable the operator to readily find the keys and to operate them quickly and with a very slight movemcht of the fingers.

Reierence is had to the accompanying drawings, in which the same parts are indicated by the same letters and numerals throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion thereof, the keys being broken away. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the keys, the scheme of operating same being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 4 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of the multiple operation key. Fig. 5 is an elel valion on an enlarged scale of the key operated by the little linger. Fig. (i is a sectional front elevation, enlarged, oi the multiple operation key. Fig 7 is an enlarged detail oi the same, illustrating the first operation. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail oithe same showing the second operation, and Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail l l l l l l l l l keyboard oi the same showing the third operation.

In the operation of my invention, I provide a suitable number of keys shown in the drawings as 22, and l actuate, through the same, the usual number of key levers (42) and I so place the said keys that the operators hand may rest thereon and may, with only a slight movement, be able to reach any one oi the keys desired, as shown plainly in Figs. 1 and 3.

A represents a suitable irame within which are arranged the key levers B pivotally secured at B. Rprings (J are arranged to return the levers to their normal position, the limit of which is determined D. Guide frames E. are disposed within the frame A and are provided with a plurality of vertical slots E, in which the key levers B work. These key levers B are adapted to operate the typewriter impression mechanism in any suitable manner, but as such means are very well known and as they lorm no part of this invention, they will not be further described.

The keyboard comprises three sets oi keys in all. Of these the lirst set comprises a series of vertically Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 10, 1901. 1907. Serial No. 353,808.

depressible keys indicated respectivelyby' the nurncrals 1 to 10. The second set comprises 'a series of keys indicated by numerals 11 to 20, and soconstructed that they may be operated in thiee different ways to'actuate as many key levers, The third set comprises two single operation, vertically idepressible, keys, 6O

numbered 21 and 22, and arranged convenient to the thumbs. The method of operating the 22 keys in the quickest and most convenient manner is shown plainly in Figs. 1 and 3, where it will be seen that the first series are adapted to be operated by the tips of the tingers, the second series by the second phalanges of the lingers, and the third series by the thumbs, as stated.

It will also be seen that I arrange the position of the keys according to the length of the lingers, and that I provide an upstanding portion 1 on the keys 1 and 10 7 0 of the first series to act as a gude for the little fingers.

1 will now describe the construct-ion oi the keys comprising the second series, the same being capable of three operations. I Each of this series of keys 11 to 20 is slidably mounted through a sleeve a, having a trun- 7 5 nion a projecting into an opening in the upper port-ion oi the key standard I). A set screw a' is then screwed into said trunnion a, thus pivot-ally mounting the en'- tire key, while allowing the same to be independently depressed through the sleeve a,

which extends a pin 1 integral with the sleeve a, and provided with a roller a on its outer end. Beneath the opening I) of standard b are mounted a pair of oppositely disposed belLCr-ank the lower arms of which normally extend at right angles from the standard I), and are provided at the extremities with rollers c and d respectively, cacii of which. is mounted on its respective key lever B. The vertically The standard b is provided with a transversely extending opening b through levers c and d respectively, 35

extending arms of levers c and d are preferably concaved on their adjacent faces to allow of better sliding engagement when the' key is swung iorwa-rd or back ward, riding roller 0; against levers c or d to operate the key lever desired. It will then be seen that as the key itseli is mounted above its corresponding key either a depression of the same, a push or a pull will tend to actuate a different key lever and consequently make a different impression on the machine. .The tops 0! the key levers 11 to 20 are prel'erably dished to conform to the contour of the linger.

It will-be seen that although I have shown and described my improvement as 0perating42 key levers by means of 22 keys, the number of keys may be greater or less without materially affect ng-tho invention.

1. In it typewrlter keyboard, the combination with the; key lovers, of a series of multiple operation keys compris lever,

Having thus described my invention, what 1- claim Jacent said key and each arranged on one of saidkey levvers, and means for actuating-said levers to depress their the key is slidably and movably mounted above one of said substantially as described.

key levers, of .a series of keys arranged to be operated by in; asupporting standard, a sleeve pivotally'mounted on said standard, said key beixig slidably mounted through saidsleeve and allued with oner'dt said key leyers, a pair of i levers pivoted on said standard and each arranged on one of said key levers and means for actuating said levers to depress their corresponding key,lcver on the forward or backward movement of said keys, suistantlally as de. scribed. r H

2. In a typewriter key board, the combination with the key levers, of a series of multiple operation keys comprising a vertical support to which the key is slidal'lly attached above one of said key levers, a pair of levers mounted adcorrespondingkey lever on the forward or backward movement of said keys, substantially as described. f t 3'. In a typewriter key board, the combination with the key levers, of a series of keys arranged to be operated by the fingers, a second series of keys adapted to be operated than one operation, comprising a vertical support to which key levers, a pair of levers mounted adjacent said key and each arranged on one oi "said key lev rs, and means for actuating said levers to depress their corresponding key lever onthe forward or backward movement of said key,

4. in a typewriter key board. the combination with the the lingers a second series of keys adapted to be operated by the thumbs, and a series of keys'arrangcd between said first two series, each key of said last named series being capable of operating three of said key levers and comprising a vertical support, a sleeve pivotally mounted on said support, said key being slidably mounted through said sleeve and alined with. one of said key levers, a pair of levers pivoted on said standard and each arranged on one of said key levers and means for actuating said levers to depress their corresponding key lever, on the forward or backward movement of said keys, substantially as described.

In a typewriter key board, the combination with the key levers of a series of keys each capable of actuating three of said levers, comprising a vertical support, a sleeve pivotally mounted on said support, said key being slidably mounted through said sleeve and aliued over one of said key levers. said vertical support being provided with a transverse slot, :1 pair of oppositely disposed bell-crank levers pivoted beneath said slot, having their vertical arms adjacent one another and their horizontal arms eachan' 

